Prom and wedding season is just around the corner. As stylists we will be inundated with Pinterest pics and requests for the perfect event updo. Knowing the proper foundation to use for an updo is key!

No one wants to pay for an updo that falls at the first breeze, first dance or first picture. So what are the key elements for an updo that will stay in place?

Proper preparation of the hair is key says Artistic Director for Aquage, Nogodar Martinez. A perfect updo begins with clean, smooth hair. If the hair is frizzy, you must smooth it first – even if you plan to curl it. This can be done by flat ironing and using a heat protecting spray or blow drying mousse into dry hair to increase the pliant strength using a paddle or smoothing type brush.

Once the hair is prepped and smoothed, there are many techniques to use as blueprint for your updo. Braids, ponytails, buns and twists are the four most common foundational structures to provide a solid base to pin hair into.

BRAIDS – The strongest of the foundations. A braid can be placed at any angle and provide a traveling anchor to pin hair into to create a soft look with a lot of strength. The braid can be totally hidden under the top layer of hair or left visible.

PONYTAILS – Also a very secure base with a centralized focus. Ponytails are placed in strategic spots to create the silhouette. This is a great technique for those with very heavy hair. Curved partings for multiple ponytails create a seamless look.

BUNS – Similar to the ponytail technique, a bun creates a fuller natural form to build upon. Texture crafted on other parts of the hair can be floated over the fullness of the bun to add volume and strength at the same time.

TWIST – The softest of all the foundations, a twist can travel across the head and other hair can be pinned to it to build texture and volume. It’s ideal for building strength and volume in half up/half down looks.

Nogodar Martinez shows how you can use 3 pony tails for your base.